Engine



y 1967 R. c. HEIDNER ET AL 3,317,012

ENGINE Filed Jan. 14, 1965 N R F 1 VENTORS. Elma/ea 6T zj /an/se Camus 2 JOHNSON Je.

Jrromvevs United States Patent 3,317,012 ENGINE Richard C. Heidner, Galesburg, and Charles E. Johnson,

Jr., Waukegan, Ill., assignors to Outboard Marine Corporation, Waukegan, IlL, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 14, 1965, Ser. No. 425,490 8 Claims. (Cl. 192-.096)

The invention relates generally to marine propulsion devices, such as for example, outboard motors. More particularly, the invention relates to means incorporated in a marine propulsion device for coordinating throttle advancement and clutch shifting.

The invention provides a marine propulsion device including a movably mounted throttle regulating member, a movably mounted clutch controlling member, and cooperating, interengaging means on said members to selectively control throttle advancement in accordance with the setting of the clutch and to control shifting of the clutch in accordance with the setting of the throttle. The invention is particularly applicable to a throttle controlling or regulating mechanism such as disclosed in United States Patent 2,644,419, issued July 7, 1953, in which a vertically tiltable tiller or steering lever supports a rotatable pinion in meshed engagement with a circular rack. Use of the circular rack affords retention of meshing engagement between the pinion and the rack to provide axial rack displacement in response to pinionrotation notwithstanding vertical swinging of the tiller and without aifecting axial displacement of the rack by reason of vertical swinging of the tiller.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of an outboard motor embodying various of the features of the invention; 7

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view, partially broken away and partially in section, of portions of the throttle controlling and shift controlling mechanisms embodied in the outboard motor shown in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a partially sectional view taken generally along line 33 of FIGURE 2.

The outboard motor 11 illustrated in FIGURE 1 con ventionally includes a transom bracket 13 which carries a vertically swingable swivel bracket 15., Mounted on the swivel bracket 15 for dirigible movement about an axis transverse to the ,axis of swivel bracket movement is a propulsion unit 17 including a power head 19 and a lower unit '21. 'The power head 19 includes a prime mover in the form of an internal combustion engine 23 ,having a carburetor 25 including a throttle 26, and a throttle controlling mechanism or linkage 27 which is shown schematically and fragmentarily in FIGURE 1. The linkage 27 can be as disclosed in various patents including the before-mentioned Patent No. 2,644,419; the Soder Patent 2,906,251; and the Shimanckas Patent 2,- 723,655. The throttle controlling linkage 27. should be act-uatable in response to a linear movement, and preferably to a rectilinear movement. The engine 23 is enclosed within a cover 23.

The lower unit 21 includes a clutch 29 which affords neutral, forward, and reverse operation of a propeller 31 mounted on the lower unit 21. The clutch is actuated by a clutch controlling mechanism or means 32including a link or rod 33 which, in the illustrated motor 11, is

vertically shiftable to afford operation of the clutch 29.

Su-titable means well known in the art can also be incorporated in the outboard motor -11 for vibration-ally isolating the propulsion unit 17 from the transom bracket 13.

In accordance with the invention, interlocking or interice engaging means are provided for coordinating activity of the linkage 27 and mechanism 32 to selectively limit throttle advance in accordance with the setting or condition of the clutch 29 and to prevent shifting of the clutch 29 when the throttle controlling linkage 27 is positioned to afiord engine operation above a predetermined speed.

More specifically, the propulsion unit 117 includes support means in the form of a bracket 35 which carries means in the form of a bushing 37 for mounting a throttle regulating member 39 for rectilinear sliding movement and for prevention of rotary movement, The throttle regulating member 39 is connected to a link 41 which, in turn, is operably connected to the throttle controlling linkage 27 to effect change in the speed of engine operation in accordance with sliding movement of the throttle controlling member 39. The member 39 and link 41 can be considered part of the linkage 27 or can be considered as being supplementary to the linkagev 27.

In the particularly disclosed construction, the throttle regulating member 39 includes a circular rack portion 43 in meshing engagement with a pinion 45 carried by a tiller or handle 47 to obtain sliding movement of the throttle regulating member 39 in the general manner disclosed in Patent No. 2,644,419.

The bracket 35 also supports means in the (form of a bushing 49 for mounting a clutch actuating element or member 51for rotary movement generally about the axis of the circular rack portion 43 of the throttle regulating member 39. The clutch actuating member 5-1 is retained on the bushing 49 between a shoulder 53 formed on the bracket 35 and a snap ring 55; The clutch actuating member 51 can be considered a part of the clutch controlling mechanism 32 or can be considered supplementary to the mechanism 32.

- In the disclosed construction, the member 51 includes an annular or ring portion 57 and a rocker arm 59 which is pivotally connected to the rod 33 to afford shifting of the clutch 2 9 in response to angular movement of the clutch actuating member 51. The annular or ring portion 57 of the clutch actuating member extends exteriorly of the engine cover 28 through a bushing or bearing 61 supported by the engine cover 28 and has extending therefrom an operating lever 63 (see FIGURE 2) which can be manually or remotely operated.

On the throttle regulating member 39 and the clutch actuating member 51 are interengaging cooperating means for limiting advancement of the engine speed in accordance with the setting or condition of the clutch 29 and for limiting clutch actuation or shifting in accordance with the engine speed setting.

In the specifically disclosed construction, such means is in the form of a pin or lug 65 extending radially from the throttle regulating member 39 and a series of notches 67, 69, and 71 in the outer periphery of the annular portion 57 of the clutch actuating member 51. The notches 67, 69, and 71 are respectively located for receiving the pin 65 whenever the clutch is in forward, neutral, or rearward condition. As can be seen, the

notches 67, 69, and71 have differing lengths or depths affording differing amounts of throttle advancing move ment of the throttle regulating member 39 in the down direction as seen in FIGURE 2 and in the direction seen to the right in FIGURE 3. Thus, a greater degree of throttle advancement is permitted by the notch 67 associated with forward engagement of the clutch 29. than by the notch 71 associated with rearward engagement of the clutch 29. In addition, a still more limited range of throttle advancement is provided by the notch 69 which is associated with the neutral condition of the clutch 29.

The arrangement also prevents clutch shifting except when the throttle regulating member 39 is located in a position affording engine operation at a relatively low speed, i.e., in the position affording location of the pin 65 as indicated at 73 in cotted outline in FIGURES 2 and 3. As can be readily seen from the drawings, whenever the throttle regulating member 39 is advanced from its slow speed setting to locate the pin 65 in one of the notches 67, 69, and 71, clutch shifting is prevented.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device comprising support means, a throttle regulating member adapted to be connected to a throttle to afford throttle regulation in response to movement of said throttle regulating member, means mounting said throttle regulating member on said support means for throttle regulating movement, a clutch actuating member adapted to be connected to a clutch to afford operation of said clutch in response to movement of said clutch actuating member, and means mounting said clutch actuating member on said support means for clutch operating movement, wherein the improvement comprises mounting one of said throttle regulating member and said clutch actuating member for sliding movement and mounting the other of said throttle regulating member and said clutch actuating member for rotary movement about said one member, and including interlocking means on said clutch actuating member and on said throttle regulating member for limiting movement of each of said members in accordance with the setting of the other of said members.

2. In a marine propulsion device, the combination of support means, a rectilinearly movable throttle regulating member adapted to be connected to a throttle to afford throttle regulation in response to rectilinear movement of said throttle regulating member, means mounting said throttle regulating member on said support means for throttle regulating rectilinear movement, a clutch actuating member adapted to be connected to a clutch to afford operation of said clutch in response to rotary movement of said clutch actuating member, means mounting said clutch actuating member on said support means for rotary, clutch operating movement about said throttle regulating member, and interlocking means on said clutch actuating member and on said throttle regulating member for limiting throttle advancing movement of said throttle regulating member in accordance with the setting of said clutch actuating member, and for limiting clutch operating movement of said clutch actuating member in accordance with the setting of said throttle regulating member.

3. In an outboard motor, the combination of support means, a throttle regulating member adapted to be connected to a throttle to afford throttle regulation in response to movement of said throttle regulating member, said throttle regulating member including a circular rack portion, means mounting said throttle regulating member on said support means for rectilinear throttle regulating movement, a clutch actuating member adapted to be connected to a clutch to afford operation of said clutch in response to movement of said clutch actuating member, means mounting said clutch actuating member on said support means in generally telescopic relation to said throttle regulating member and for rotary clutch operating movement about the axis of said circular rack portion, and interengaging means on said clutch actuating member and on said throttle regulating member for limiting throttle advancing rectilinear movement of said throttle regulating member in accordance with the setting of said clutch actuating member, and for limiting rotary clutch operating movement of said clutch actuating member in accordance with the setting of said throttle regulating member.

4. In an outboard motor, the combination of support means, a throttle regulating member adapted to be connected to a throttle to afford throttle regulation in response to movement of said throttle regulating member, a pin extending from said throttle regulating member, a clutch actuating member adapted to be connected to a clutch to afford clutch operation in response to movement of said clutch actuating member, said clutch actuating member including first, second, and third notches respectively associated with forward drive, rearward drive, and neutral clutch conditions, said first notch being deeper than said second notch, and said second notch being deeper than said third notch, means mounting said throttle regulating member on said support means for throttle regulating movement and to locate said pin clear of any of said notches when said throttle regulating member is set at a selected slow speed, and means mounting said clutch actuating member on said support means for clutch operating movement and with respect to said pin so as to afford, upon throttle advancing movement of said throttle regulating member above said slow speed, selective engagement of said pin in said notches depending upon the condition of the clutch, thereby to control the amount of throttle advancement and to prevent clutch shifting when said pin is engaged in any one of said notches.

5. In an outboard motor, the combination of support means, a throttle regulating member adapted to be connected to a throttle to afford throttle regulation in response to movement of said throttle regulating member, said throttle regulating member including a circular rack portion, and a pin extending from said throttle regulating member, a clutch actuating member adapted to be connected to a clutch to afford clutch operation in response to movement of said clutch actuating member, said clutch actuating member including first, second, and third notches respectively associated with forward drive, rearward drive, and neutral clutch conditions, said first notch being deeper than said second notch, and said second notch being deeper than said third notch, means mounting said throttle regulating member on said support means for rectilinear throttle regulating movement, means mounting said clutch actuating member on said support means in generally telescopic relation to said throttle regulating member, for rotary movement about the axis of said circular rack portion, and with respect to said pin so as to afford freedom of said pin from any of said notches when said throttle regulating member is set at a selected slow speed, and so as to afford, upon throttle advancing movement of said throttle regulating member above said slow speed, selective engagement of said pin in said notches depending upon the condition of the clutch, thereby to control the amount of throttle advancement and to prevent clutch shifting when said pin is engaged in any one of said notches.

6. An outboard motor comprising a marine propulsion unit including an engine having a carburetor with a throttle and a lower unit including a clutch, a throttle regulating linkage connected to said throttle and including a member affording throttle regulation in response to rectilinear movement of said member, means supporting said member on said propulsion unit for throttle regulating rectilinear movement, a clutch actuating mechanism connected to said clutch and including an element affording clutch operation in response to rotary movement of said element, means mounting said element on said propulsion unit for rotary clutch operating movement about said member, and interlocking means on said element and on said member (a) for limiting throttle advancing movement of said member in accordance with the setting of said element, and (b) for limiting clutch operating movement of said element in accordance with the setting of said member.

7. An outboard motor comprising a marine propulsion unit including an engine having a carburetor with a throttle and a lower unit including a clutch, a throttle regulating linkage connected to said throttle and including a member affording throttle regulation in response to movement of said member, said member including a circular rack portion, means supporting said member on said propulsion unit for rectilinear throttle regulating movement, a clutch actuating mechanism connected to said clutch and including an element affording clutch operation in response to movement of said element, means mounting said element on said propulsion unit in generally telescopic relation to said member and for rotary clutch operating movement about the axis of said circular rack portion, and interlocking means on said element and on said member for limiting throttle advancing rectilinear movement of said member in accordance with the setting of said element, and for limiting rotary clutch operating movement of said element in accordance with the setting of said member.

8. An outboard motor comprising support means, a throttle controlling linkage including a member adapted to afford throttle regulation in response to movement of said member, a clutch actuating mechanism adapted to be connected to a clutch and including an element adapted to afford operation of said clutch in response to movement of said element, means supporting said member on said support means for throttle regulating movement, and

means mounting said element on said support means for clutch operating movement, wherein the improvement comprises mounting one of said member and said element for sliding movement and mounting the other of said member and said element for rotary movement about said one of said element and said member, and including means on said member and on said element for coordinating movement of said element and said member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,635,576 4/1953 Kiekhaefer 74472.2 2,644,419 7/1953 Hiedner 11518 3,135,234 6/1964 Turnidge 74-472.2

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

H. S. LAYTON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE COMPRISING SUPPORT MEANS, A THROTTLE REGULATING MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A THROTTLE TO AFFORD THROTTLE REGULATION IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID THROTTLE REGULATING MEMBER, MEANS MOUNTING SAID THROTTLE REGULATING MEMBER ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR THROTTLE REGULATING MOVEMENT, A CLUTCH ACTUATING MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A CLUTCH TO AFFORD OPERATION OF SAID CLUTCH IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID CLUTCH ACTUATING MEMBER, AND MEANS MOUNTING SAID CLUTCH ACTUATING MEMBER ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR CLUTCH OPERATING MOVEMENT, WHEREIN THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISES MOUNTING ONE OF SAID THROTTLE REGULATING MEMBER AND SAID CLUTCH ACTUATING MEMBER FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT AND MOUNTING THE OTHER OF SAID THROTTLE REGULATING MEMBER AND SAID CLUTCH ACTUATING MEMBER FOR ROTARY MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID ONE MEMBER, AND INCLUDING INTERLOCKING MEANS ON SAID CLUTCH ACTUATING MEMBER AND ON SAID THROTTLE REGULATING MEMBER FOR LIMITING MOVEMENT OF EACH OF SAID MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SETTING OF THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS. 